Mark Newnham celebrated a career-best five winners at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, while Andrea Atzeni continued his red-hot form with his second four-timer in as many weeks.

Newnham jumped back up to second in the trainers’ championship on 40 wins after falling just one win short of current title leader Caspar Fownes’ record of six winners at a Hong Kong meeting, which he achieved at the Valley in 2010.

While Newnham trained four winners on a day in Australia across different tracks, it was the first time he had achieved a five-timer.

“I’ve never done it anywhere, so five winners on one card is pretty special,” Newnham said.

“It’s been some night, that’s for sure. It’s nice to reward all our owners and the staff that have done a really good job throughout the season. We’ve had a little bit of a quiet time the last month, but we’ve been sticking to the process and preparing the horses well and everything’s fallen into place tonight.”

Atzeni joined jockeys’ championship second-placed Hugh Bowman on 40 winners for the season by bringing up a four-timer with two of Newnham’s victors – Crimson Flash and Armor Golden Eagle – as well as Sky Cap and Win Beauty Viva.

Newnham’s night was highlighted by Crimson Flash’s superb return to victory in the Class Two Daisy Handicap (1,200m). The Showtime gelding was back to his brilliant best when stepping back in trip with Atzeni on board.

“We tried him in the Classic Mile, it was clear that he couldn’t stay so a little bit of a freshen-up and back to his favourite track and distance – and he was eligible for the Class Two bonus. So, it’s been a very good result for the owners,” Newnham said after Crimson Flash comfortably accounted for Brave Star by a length.

A front-running performance saw Armor Golden Eagle strike for the first time in Hong Kong in the Class Four Azalea Handicap (1,650m). The son of Ace High excelled at his first run at the city circuit and was aided by a perfectly rated ride from Atzeni.

“It wasn’t really the idea to lead with him, but Andrea got the pace right and that certainly helped. We wanted to be closer in the run, but when the top weight didn’t go on and lead, Andrea took it up and rated him well. The horse responded well too. It’s been a bit frustrating with him, but a change of venue and a bit more luck at the draw helped,” Newnham said.

Atzeni was the beneficiary of a pickup ride on Sky Cap for Caspar Fownes in the Class Four Ireland Trophy (1,200m) after Dylan Browne McMonagle became indisposed following a fall from Sterling Wongchoy in the opening race. The Irish jockey was stood down from riding after the second race due to shoulder pain after riding The Lion King to third place.

“It’s never nice to pick up a ride when another jockey is injured, and hopefully Dylan is not too bad,” said Atzeni.

Ace War gained back-to-back wins for Newnham and jockey Zac Purton when taking out the Class Four Dahlia Handicap (1,800m) with a scorching burst down the centre of the track.

“He backed up his win from a fortnight ago with another impressive display. He’s certainly not the easiest horse to ride and not the easiest horse to watch while he’s racing. He settled better through the race today but he just needed clear ground from the five hundred and his turn of foot late was very good,” Newnham said.

Purton finished the night with a double courtesy of Aurio in the Class Three Hydrangea Handicap (1,200m), who broke the class record with a time of 1:08.49.

Soaring Bronco scored at his first start for Newnham after a stable transfer when a dramatic finish to the Class Five Aster Handicap (1,650m) saw him win in a dead heat with Glorious Ryder.

“I think a change of environment may have just helped. I probably got him at a good rating, as he was down to 32. On his previous form he had something to offer and he’d trialled well, so I came here confident he’d run well but when a horse has the recent form that he does, it’s hard to be confident they’ll win,” Newnham said.

Newnham’s other winner was Notthesillyone, who saluted at odds of $26 in the Class Four Bellflower Handicap (1,000m). While breaking from barrier 12 was a tough task, the previous track and distance winner benefited from a perfect ride by Richard Kingscote.

“Luke [Ferraris] usually rides the horse but he was previously engaged. Richard’s only had a few rides on him – but has ridden them all well – so we opted to go with him and he pulled off a perfect ride from gate twelve. Once he settled outside the leader he was going to run well,” Newnham said.